Dallas at Detroit (March 28)
The start of a 4 game road trip against Eastern Conference playoff teams
started with a visit to Detroit. Dallas went on a 16-4 run, including 9
points by Josh Howard, to go up 22-10 with 4:40 remaining. Dallas' lead
ranged between 9 and 12 points the rest of the quarter and Dallas led 30-19
after 1. Michael Finley had 10 points. Then things got really ugly in the
2nd quarter as both teams struggled to find the basket. Both teams scored
just one bucket over the first 3 minutes of the quarter. After Howard
connected on a layup with 8:40 left to give Dallas a 34-21 lead, it would
be almost 3 minutes before Dallas would score again. The Mavs then
connected on consecutive baskets to take their largest lead at 38-21 with
5:15 to go. Detroit ended their 4 1/2 minute scoring drought with 4:40
remaining and each team scored 4 points over the next 3 minutes. Detroit
only scored 6 points over the first 10 1/2 minutes of the quarter and Dallas
led 42-25 with 1:40 left. But Dallas' defense slipped and Detroit closed
the quarter by scoring the last 8 points of the quarter. Dallas led 42-33
at the half. Dallas had 12 points and Detroit had 14 points, with Chauncey
Billups scoring 8 of their 14 points, in the 2nd quarter. For the half,
Dallas shot 50% FG and 1-2 FT and Detroit shot 39% FG and 5-6 FT. Detroit
continued their rally by opening the 3rd quarter with a 7-2 run to pull
within 40-44 with 10:20 remaining. Dallas did score the next 4 points, but
Detroit then went on an 11-2 run, capped by 3 free throws by Billups (fouled
attempting a 3-pointer), to take a 51-50 lead with 5:15 to go. It then
became a free throw fest for Dallas as the Mavs' next 10 points came from
the line and Dallas led 60-57 with 2:45 left and Dallas would hold a small
lead the rest of the quarter. Devin Harris drained a 3-pointer at the
quarter buzzer to give Dallas a 70-65 lead after 3. Dallas scored the first
4 points of the 4th quarter to go up 74-65 with 10:55 left. It then became
a 3-pointer show as Billups hit a 3-pointer, Keith Van Horn hit a 3-pointer,
Billups hit a 3-pointer, Van Horn hit a 3-pointer, and Billups hit a
3-pointer to pull Detroit within 74-80 with 9:20 to go. Dallas then went on
an 11-2 run to go up 91-76 with 4:30 remaining. Detroit did not surrender
as the Pistons then went on a 10-2 run to pull within 86-93 with 1:55 left.
Dallas missed on 2 attempts, but Detroit also missed on 2 attempts and there
was a minute remaining. Dallas ran the clock down and Finley missed with 35
seconds left. Detroit had trouble getting a good look and it cost them some
time off the clock before Richard Hamilton was able to drive and pull-up for
a short jumper with 18 seconds to go. Finley was intentionally fouled and
hit both free throws. Detroit missed on their final shot and Dallas ran the
clock out. Dallas won 95-88.
For a change, Dallas came out strong with a good 1st quarter in out-scoring
Detroit 30-19 - the Mavs had been out-scored or finished the 1st quarter
even in their last 10 games (and 13 of their last 14). The 2nd quarter was
really ugly, but better basketball was played in the 2nd half. Dallas did
play good defense and came out with a win. Detroit was really hurt as they
had to rely completely on their starters as they got almost no bench help.
The 5 Detroit bench players had just 2 points on 1-7 FG and 0-3 FT, 4
rebounds, 4 turnovers, and 9 fouls in 42 minutes. Dallas got 32 points off
their bench. As a team, Dallas shot 45.9% (34-74) FG including 7-18
3-pointers. Detroit shot 43.9% (36-82) FG including 3-12 3-pointers.
Dallas shot 20-25 FT and Detroit shot 13-17 FT. Dallas had 23 assists and
Detroit had 19 assists. Dallas did not do a good job of keeping Detroit
off the offensive boards as Detroit had 19 offensive rebounds. After
turning the ball over 9 times in the 1st half, Dallas only had 1 2nd half
turnover.
Josh Howard had a great outing with some key plays in the 4th quarter,
including a really pretty pass to an open Jason Terry for a 3-pointer and a
nice poke away from behind where Terry was able to then pick up the loose
ball in addition to his scoring. For the game, Howard had a team high 24
points including 9-13 FG, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals in a team high 46
minutes and also had the defensive fun of chasing around Richard Hamilton.
Dirk Nowitzki had a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Keith Van
Horn contributed 17 points including 6-8 FG and 5 rebounds off the bench.
Michael Finley started strong with 10 points in the 1st quarter, but did not
hit another shot the rest of the game. He had 12 points including 4-13 FG,
4 rebounds, and 4 assists. He did hit his first 2 3-pointers before missing
a 3 to tie the team record for consecutive 3-pointers made at 10. Terry
struggled with his shot, but did hit a key 3-pointer in the 4th quarter and
did do a good job of passing the ball. He had 5 points on 2-10 FG and 7
assists in 30 minutes. Shawn Bradley again started and had 6 points on 3-9
FG and 0-2 FT and 6 rebounds including 4 offensive in 22 minutes. Devin
Harris had 7 points and 5 assists in 18 minutes. Alan Henderson had 2
points in making his only attempt and 3 rebounds in 10 minutes. Marquis
Daniels extended his slump to 5 games and missed both shots he attempted.
His only other stats were 2 steals and 1 foul in 15 minutes.
Chauncey Billups had 26 points including 3 straight 3-pointers in the 4th
quarter (his only made 3s of the game), 3 rebounds, and 4 assists in 38
minutes. Richard Hamilton had 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in 41
minutes. Tayshaun Prince had 14 points and 7 rebounds including 5
offensive. Rasheed Wallace had 13 points and 7 rebounds in 40 minutes. And
Ben Wallace was his usual rebounding maniac with 17 points including 7
offensive. He also had 10 points and 3 blocks in 38 minutes. As mentioned
above, Detroit did not get any bench help as Darvin Ham had Detroit's only
bench bucket.
Quotes
Avery Johnson: "I thought that we played a great game tonight, especially
on the defensive end. Our guys played great in transition to get back and
really force them into some bad shots. Our guys were doing everything
they could to get the victory. This is a long road trip so we don't want
to get ahead of ourselves. It was a good win for us tonight against such
a terrific basketball team. The Pistons play the way I like to play;
tough, hard-nosed defense. We were coming into this game looking to see
how our team would respond against a great defensive team. We did get to
the free throw line and we were able to convert. I thought that the 3rd
quarter was the turning point in the game. Our guys didn't surrender. We
have talked about having mental toughness, and I thought that we exhibited
that tonight."
Johnson: "I'm not worried about how many points they have or what their
shooting percentage was. I'm happy with the fact that we are taking teams
deeper into the shot clock and making them rush shots. Earlier in the
season, that didn't happen - we were only playing defense for 12 or 14
seconds. To win, you have to play defense for the whole 24."
Johnson on Howard's defense on Hamilton: "If Josh wasn't out there
tonight, Rip would probably go 18-20."
Dirk Nowitzki: "We kept our composure. Obviously, they're a good team,
and they were going to make a run. We knew that, especially at home."
Michael Finley on making 10 straight 3-pointers: "I should have stopped
shooting. I couldn't make one after I missed."
Keith Van Horn: "If we can continue to play defense at this level going
into the playoffs, it's just going to make us that much better.
Hopefully, we'll get that reputation, and we'll be that team that
defends, as well as continue to be an offensive team that can push the
ball and score."
Jason Terry: "We're not going to back down. If you're going to be a
championship team, you got to play like a champion. The more you're
aggressive, the more you get away with. This was a prime example."
Josh Howard: "It was a hard fought game. We jumped out to an early lead
and they kept cutting into it. It was like a playoff game. Guys were out
there scrapping to win the game. We got to an early lead and they kept
cutting into it. You just try and out-scrap the other team. Our guys
were out there talking and communicating and that really helps."
Howard: "That was like a playoff game. It's good to beat the champs. I
know they are in a slump, but they played a terrific game tonight."
Howard: "It was a hard fought game. It was almost like a playoff game,
where both teams are scrapping for the victory. We just out-fought them."
Shawn Bradley on defense: "We know our offense is going to roll - we have
All-World scorers out there. But the X factor for us is going to be
maintaining a solid defense. Tonight, we beat Detroit with mental
toughness. That's not something this team has exactly been known for."
Bradley: "The Pistons play a physical game, but our mental toughness got
us through it. That's something this team hasn't been known for."
Bradley: "I was pleased with our mental toughness. They're a tough,
physical team. Not that I'm saying we're as tough as they are, not by
any means. What we were was tough enough to handle what they threw at us."
Bradley: "It's a lot easier to start a road trip 1-0 instead of 0-1. It
helps you maintain a certain amount of momentum."
Gar Heard : "We started the game off with 5 turnovers in the 1st quarter
that led to 10 points. You can't spot a team like the Dallas Mavericks 10
points unless you play perfect basketball the rest of the way. I thought
the starters played hard and fought back, but we have to find a way to get
some production from the bench. We have to bring it up a little bit. I
can't play the starters 48 minutes."
Heard: "We fought back into the game and then you put the bench in and
hope they can hold it close. That didn't happen."
Heard on the bench productivity: "We have not had a lot of time to
practice, and I think that is a big key. We still have a lot of new guys
on the bench that we are trying to work in. It is a matter of just having
a little time to work them in. When they are on the floor you want them
to be productive."
Heard: "The bench has to give us something. I've been playing the
starters too many minutes."
Heard on Harris' 3-pointer at the end of the 3rd quarter: "I thought that
was the turning point of the game. It is easier to go into the 4th
quarter down 2 than 5. We can not let them get a shot that deep; we have
to stop the ball."
Heard: "They played a lot of zone tonight. Their defense is better than
it was [last year]. I think we held the ball a little bit too much and
tried to make a lot of individual plays, especially in the 1st half. [I
think] that really helped their defense and allowed them to stay in
their zone."
Heard: "We will be ready to play on Wednesday. We have to start the game
off with a little bit more energy and we have to protect the basketball.
I thought we played well [tonight] except for the 1st quarter."
Heard on Arroyo: "We need Carlos to start playing the way he did when he
first came here. He's holding the ball a little too long, especially on
the pick-and-roll. Delfino needs to go out there and play and forget
about his knee. He seems to be tentative because of the knee. We're
going to need our bench in the playoffs."
Ben Wallace: "Any time you have one of your leaders [coach Brown] out,
you're going to miss him somewhat. But we know what it takes. We've got
to go out and get it done. We've got to stop trying to make excuses for
ourselves and go out and play basketball."
Wallace: "We know what it takes to get it done. We have to stop making
excuses for ourselves and play basketball. We have to stand up, man up,
and take responsibility for ourselves."
Wallace: "The way we played from the end of the 2nd quarter and into the
4th, that's Pistons basketball. We have to play like that from the start.
When we do, we win."
Chauncey Billups: "It's a lot of hard work trying to get back into a game
when you're down [that much]. We were a couple of possessions away from
taking control."
Tayshaun Prince: "We haven't practiced that much because of the games.
We're hoping we can just regain focus. We definitely just have to go back
to what got us winning basketball games. Tonight, when they got on the
run early, we did a lot of one-on-one basketball, trying to get it all
back at one time, which is definitely not what you're supposed to do."
Prince: "When things weren't working early we were standing around and
tried to make individual plays. We played a lot of one-on-one basketball,
trying to get it all back at one time. The way we played the final
minutes of the 2nd quarter and early in the 3rd is the way we have to get
back to playing."
Antonio McDyess: "It was just one of those things. It seems like every
time I touch the ball lately I haven't been able to get an easy shot.
Some of it is getting into a rhythm. It seems like I'm thinking a lot
when I get out on the court."
Darvin Ham: "Joe [Dumars] mentioned to us that we can't be the
retaliators, we have to be the initiators. That's a good example of how,
with us building up steam, it hurt us. When we play from behind the whole
game and finally catch up, sometimes we don't have the gas to endure and
overcome. We've been doing it off and on like that the whole season.
Hopefully with these practice days in between these upcoming games, we'll
be able to get some consistency. It was what it was tonight. We need to
come out and do the little things: set better screens, cut harder, and
just play like we're capable of playing."
Ham on the bench: "We have to take it upon ourselves to come off the bench
with fire. There are some things I wish I could get back, but it's not
like that. You just have to come out, play hard and try to be as cohesive
as possible."
Dallas Mavericks 95, Detroit Pistons 88 at Detroit (March 28)
1st 2nd 3rd 4th - Final 2FG 3FG FG% FT%
Dallas 30 12 28 25 - 95 .482 .389 .459 .800
Detroit 19 14 32 23 - 88 .471 .250 .439 .765
Halftime: Dallas 42-33
3rd Q: Dallas 70-65
Technicals: Rasheed Wallace 0:26 3rd
Refs: Bernie Fryer, Blane Reichelt, Courtney Kirkland
Attendance: 22,076 (sellout)
Dallas Mavericks REB
Player MIN FGM-FGA 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA PTS O-T AST TO PF STL BLK
Michael Finley 36 4-13 2-6 2-2 12 1-4 4 1 0 1 0
Jason Terry 30 2-10 1-3 0-0 5 2-3 7 2 3 0 0
Josh Howard 46 9-13 1-2 5-6 24 2-6 2 3 2 3 1
Dirk Nowitzki 37 7-14 0-2 8-8 22 1-10 3 0 2 2 1
Shawn Bradley 22 3-9 0-0 0-2 6 4-6 1 0 3 1 2
Keith Van_Horn 26 6-8 2-4 3-5 17 2-5 1 2 3 0 0
Devin Harris 18 2-4 1-1 2-2 7 0-2 5 1 1 0 0
Marquis Daniels 15 0-2 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 1 2 0
Alan Henderson 10 1-1 0-0 0-0 2 1-3 0 1 0 0 0
Totals 48 34-74 7-18 20-25 95 13-39 23 10 15 9 4
Detroit Pistons REB
Player MIN FGM-FGA 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA PTS O-T AST TO PF STL BLK
Richard Hamilton 41 10-20 0-1 3-4 23 3-5 5 1 2 0 0
Chauncey Billups 38 8-15 3-6 7-7 26 1-3 4 2 1 1 0
Tayshaun Prince 41 7-15 0-0 0-0 14 5-7 3 1 3 0 0
Rasheed Wallace 40 6-15 0-3 1-1 13 1-7 2 1 5 1 0
Ben Wallace 38 4-10 0-0 2-2 10 7-17 3 3 4 1 3
Carlos Arroyo 12 0-1 0-1 0-0 0 0-0 2 1 2 0 0
Antonio McDyess 12 0-2 0-0 0-0 0 1-2 0 1 3 0 0
Carlos Delfino 7 0-1 0-1 0-0 0 0-0 0 1 1 2 0
Darvin Ham 6 1-1 0-0 0-3 2 1-1 0 1 2 0 0
Lindsey Hunter 5 0-2 0-0 0-0 0 0-1 0 0 1 0 0
Totals 48 36-82 3-12 13-17 88 19-43 19 12 24 5 3
patricia